Corrie's breastfeeding experience was different from my own (as is every mom and baby's), so I wanted to add some things that no one told me about my breastfeeding experience, but I found out as I went.

1. It changed my outlook on life. I became a breastfeeding educator and advocate because of my breastfeeding experiences, and particularly because of the societal challenges I faced while breastfeeding my first child. My experiences were incredibly rewarding and I wanted to help other moms in their breastfeeding journeys.

2. The strong bond it created with my children. I'd heard about the breastfeeding bond before, but nothing could prepare me for the rush of love I felt when I breastfed each of my children. Knowing I was providing them with milk made specifically for them, the way nature intended, was very powerful and amazes me still. It wasn't all rosy and there were challenges, but getting through them together made it that much more positive.

3. How much I would enjoy breastfeeding. The benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby are many, but I didn't realize how much I would value the time I spent breastfeeding. After a long day at work, or during an otherwise busy day, I looked forward to sitting down (a lot!) with my baby to relax and spend quality time together breastfeeding. Those are still some of my favorite memories as a mom.

Now I turn it over to you -- what did you learn about breastfeeding as you went through the experience?

1 comments:

Anonymous
said...

I was disgusted by breast feeding.. The entire time I was pregnant I had this insane idea in my mind that I would pump every day so that my daughter got the nutritional benefits. Right after I had her I was told she had to latch on in the first hour or she needed formula. She latched on wonderful for her first time. I LOVE breastfeeding now. I thought it was gross before, but its the most beautiful feeling in the world. Shes 3 months old now and still doing great. We have had our struggles with it, but overall its been amazing. I cant imagine having to feed her formula. I have learned so much about breastfeeding in the past 3 months. My favorite thing is when shes eating and gives me a HUGE smile, its the cutest thing :)